Vintage Cartoon Network . . .

Background of the Show

"King Leonardo and His Short Subjects" was one of the early TV cartoon series produced by Total Television, a company responsible for other popular shows like "Underdog" and "Tennessee Tuxedo and His Tales." The show featured a variety of segments, with "The King and Odie" being the main one.

Characters

1. King Leonardo (the Lion): The benevolent but somewhat naive ruler of the fictional kingdom of Bongo Congo.
2. Odie Cologne (the Skunk): The king's loyal prime minister and advisor.

Biggie Rat and Itchy Brother were the main antagonists in the series, constantly plotting to overthrow King Leonardo.

Biggie Rat

• Biggie Rat is a scheming, criminal mastermind rat.
• He is characterized by his cunning nature and sharp mind, always devising elaborate plans to take over the kingdom.
• Biggie Rat often takes charge of the schemes, guiding Itchy Brother in their misadventures.

Itchy Brother

• Itchy Brother is a dimwitted, bumbling lion and King Leonardo's brother.
• Unlike his royal sibling, Itchy Brother is easily manipulated and often acts as Biggie Rat's sidekick.
• He is known for his incompetence and clumsiness, which frequently leads to the failure of their plans.

Plot Themes

The typical plotlines of "The King and Odie" involved Biggie Rat and Itchy Brother attempting to overthrow King Leonardo. Their schemes were always foiled by the end of each episode, often due to their own ineptitude or the clever interventions of Odie Cologne.

Legacy

While "The King and Odie" may not be as well-remembered as other classic cartoons, it was an important part of the early 1960s animation landscape. The characters of Biggie Rat and Itchy Brother, with their humorous villainy, contributed to the show's charm and have remained nostalgic figures for fans of early television animation.

The show and its characters also laid some of the groundwork for future animated series produced by Total Television, influencing the style and humor seen in their later works.